The Raelan Agle Podcast 152: Dr. Brad Fanestil, MD: You Can Reverse Chronic Symptoms (Here’s How)
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Jul 31, 2025 
Dr. Brad Fanestil is an internal medicine physician in Boulder, Colorado, specializing in mind-body medicine. In this conversation, he reveals how chronic pain and fatigue are rooted in the brain's protective circuits and can be reversed. He shares insights on managing stress and autonomic responses, along with practical techniques for retraining the brain. Fanestil emphasizes the importance of a biopsychosocial approach to health, bridging conventional medicine with holistic practices, and fostering a proactive role in health management.
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Patient's Cure Changed Everything
- Dr. Brad Fanestil had a patient with chronic back pain who got better after reading a John Sarno book.
- After seeing this success, he switched fully to mind-body medicine to help similar patients.
Pain is Brain’s Protective Alarm
- Chronic pain is produced by the brain when it perceives danger to the body.
- Pain acts as a protective alarm generated by the brain’s danger assessment system.
Anxiety as a Protective Alarm
- Anxiety is also a protective alarm like pain, designed to prepare the body for fight or flight.
- The physical symptoms of anxiety serve a survival purpose despite feeling unpleasant.
